President Tran Dai Quang has called on Vietnam and Hungary to continue their close coordination to soon select projects to use Hungary’s preferential loans effectively and pragmatically, for the sake of the two countries’ people.

President Tran Dai Quang and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

At a meeting with visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hanoi on September 25, the President applauded Hungary’s continuous naming of Vietnam a priority partner in its development cooperation policy.

Hungry is Vietnam’s largest official development assistance (ODA) supplier in East-Central Europe, with preferential loans totaling 535 million EUR (roughly 636 million USD). Of the number, 440 million EUR is within a framework agreement on credit cooperation signed by the two countries in January 2017, he said.

Noting with joy the friendship between Vietnam and Hungary over the past 67 years, President Quang stressed that Vietnam always places importance to developing the relations with traditional friends in East-Central Europe, including Hungary.

He described PM Viktor Orban’s visit as a milestone in the relationship, helping to open up new cooperation prospects for the two countries.

With a range of cooperation agreements inked following the talks between PM Viktor Orban and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Hungarian leader’s visit is expected to create a momentum to push up the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade and investment, making the link on par with the fruitful political ties, President Quang said.

He said the two sides should step up the exchange of all-level delegations as well as collaboration between ministries, agencies, localities and businesses in order to realise the above-mentioned agreements.

Multilaterally, the President hailed the two countries’ close coordination at international forums, particularly within the framework of the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube cooperation mechanism.

He used the occasion to thank the Hungarian side for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy for a seat in the UN Economic and Social Council during 2016-2018 as well as its commitments to backing Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

He suggested Hungary promote the comprehensive relations between Vietnam and the EU, including the early official signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

President Quang also thanked Hungary for creating favourable conditions for more than 4,000 Vietnamese in the country and called on the Hungarian side to continue their support for them.

For his part, PM Viktor Orban congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements over the past decades.

With the participation of many Hungarian ministers and more than 40 businesses, the visit is considered a new start for the bilateral relationship, the PM said.

Hungary wishes to take part in a number of Vietnam’s development programmes and opens its door for Vietnam to participate in Hungary’s development in the next 20 years, he said.

The PM told his host that Hungary has carried out several cooperation projects in Vietnam in the fields of agriculture and health care.

Hungary has also granted 200 scholarships to Vietnamese students each year and there are about 3,000 Vietnamese graduating from Hungarian universities, he said, calling for President Quang’s support for the establishment of the Hungary Culture Centre in Hanoi.

He stressed that Hungary welcomes Vietnamese businesses to invest in the country and stands ready to bridge Vietnam with other countries in East-Central Europe.

Hungary will be the first EU nation to approve the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, he pledged.

Vietnam and Hungary issued a joint statement on PM Vikor Orban’s visit to Vietnam from September 24-26.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hailed the Vietnam visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as marking a new development step in the two countries’ relations while giving him a warm welcome in Hanoi on September 25.

He took the occasion to thank the Hungarian people’s valuable and efficient assistance to Vietnam’s liberation cause and nation building, affirming that Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship with Hungary as well as its current role and position in Europe.

He hailed the European country’s active support and practical cooperation with Vietnam in recent years, especially in training personnel and helping the Vietnamese community in Hungary.

The Party chief welcomed the outcomes to the talks between the two PMs and agreements reached during the visit, and showed his support for stepping up the ties between the two governments and the ruling parties and accelerating cooperation in fields of strengths and demand.

PM Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary treasures the traditional relations with Vietnam and defines the country as an important partner with the longest term potential in Southeast Asia.

He spoke highly of the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two ruling parties and expressed his hope for furthering the ties with the Communist Party of Vietnam and heightening the bilateral relations in the coming time.

He said Hungary is determined to boost practical cooperation with Vietnam, especially in personnel training, water resources management, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture and the establishment of the Hungary Culture Centre in Vietnam, with a view to bolstering the friendship between the two peoples.

Hungary is willing to share its experience in building e-government with Vietnam, said visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a meeting with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Hanoi on September 25.

The top Vietnamese legislator stated that Vietnam always attaches great importance to consolidating and developing ties with traditional friends in the Central and Eastern Europe, with Hungary being a priority.

Expressing her delight at the growing friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the past 67 years, she lauded the successful talks between the PMs of Vietnam and Hungary, with many agreement signed.

The two sides discussed effective and practical measures to boost the Vietnam-Hungary cooperation, especially in trade, investment, and development cooperation, she noted, expressing her hope that the Hungarian PM’s visit will create a new momentum for the bilateral partnership to develop to match potential of the two nations.

She pledged that Vietnam is completing its legal framework and will regularly supervise the implementation of signed deals between the two Governments, thus contributing to further bolstering bilateral ties.

NA Chairwoman Ngan also took the occasion to thank the Hungarian Government for providing preferential loans for Vietnam to build the Can Tho Oncology Hospital, meeting demands of about 20 million people in the Mekong Delta region and improving high quality human resources for the country’s health sector.

Besides, Hungary has also decided to double the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, she noted.

The Hungarian PM declared that Hungary will help Vietnam build the Can Tho Oncology Hospital with the best quality.

He spoke highly of the Vietnamese community in Hungary, who always respect the law of the host country. With about 3,000 Vietnamese people who used to live and study in Hungary, Vietnam is considered one of the important partners of the European country in the region.

PM Viktor Orban said many Hungarian businesses accompanying him during this visit are interested in seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam.

Hungary hopes for closer ties with Vietnam in areas of Vietnam’s demand, including water supply, wastewater treatment and agriculture, he said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban following a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on September 25, affirming that Vietnam always treasures developing ties with traditional friends in the Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary as a priority partner.

In reply, Viktor Orban stated that Hungary always considers Vietnam a prioritised traditional friendly partner in the region and wishes to boost all-around ties with the country.

PM Phuc praised Hungary for considering Vietnam a priority partner in its official development assistance (ODA) policy by granting a total preferential loan of 535 million EUR, 440 million EUR of which was set within the framework agreement on financial cooperation signed in January 2017.

He spoke highly of the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the framework agreement on financial cooperation.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Hungarian government for assisting Vietnam in building Can Tho Oncology Hospital via its preferential loans.

The two PMs agreed to further improve the efficiency of the Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation mechanism, increase trade and investment by making it easier for the two countries’ businesses to form networking and navigate each other’s market, especially in fields of Hungary’s strength and Vietnam’s demand such as the exploitation of water resources, environment protection, pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, food processing and renewable energy.

The host thanked Hungarian government for offering 200 scholarships to Vietnamese students each year, and suggested increasing scholarships for those majoring in health care, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and information technology.

Host and guest lauded mutual liaison between the two countries at global and inter-regional forums. The Vietnamese PM thanked the Hungarian government for supporting Vietnam’s bid to run for a seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and welcomed Hungary’s active role in the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube cooperation mechanism.

Hungary supports Vietnam in enhancing ties with the European Union, including the early signing and ratification of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, he said.

In the East Sea issue, they underscored the need to deal with disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law.

The Hungarian PM committed all possible support to Vietnamese nationals living in the country, thus making it easier for them to serve as a bridge for bilateral friendship and collaboration.

Following the talks, the two PMs hosted a press conference, issued a joint statement and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements on finance, culture, education, agriculture, labour, information technology and communications, and a twining agreement between the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and a Hungarian city.

Vietnam, Hungary seek stronger agriculture partnership

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban witness the signing of a cooperation deal between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Hungary's Ministry of Agriculture

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong and Hungarian Minister of Agriculture Fazekas Sandor has agreed that Vietnam and Hungary should work harder together to tap the high potential of agriculture partnership.

During their meeting in Hanoi on September 25, Cuong lauded Hungary’s agricultural technology advances, especially in breeding, varieties production, food safety control, and support industry for agriculture.

Vietnam hopes to learn from Hungary’s experience in managing the environment and natural resources, including water resources, he said, adding that Vietnam also has high demand for agricultural machines, chemicals, fertilizers, water treatment technology, human resources training, and agro-forestry and fisheries quality control technology.

Vietnamese farm produce have been sold in over 140 countries, mostly seafood, cashew, peppercorn, rubber, pepper, rice and vegetables.

Fazekas Sandor said that there is much room for cooperation between the two countries in agriculture as they boast many supplementary products.

Hungary has high demand for tropical products, but Vietnamese fruits sold in Hungary still remain limited, he said, holding that Hungary is a promising land for Vietnamese strong products such as coffee, pepper and cashew.

Vietnamese and Hungarian businesses have joined hands in meat processing in the central province of Thanh Hoa, he said, adding that such joint venture will create a premise for the two nations’ collaboration in this field.

Currently, Hungary and Vietnam are cooperating within the framework of the UN Food Organisation (FAO). Hungary has helped Vietnam train agricultural experts and veterinarians, while sharing its experience in wastewater treatment. Along with these areas, Hungary is also willing to cooperate with Vietnam in agricultural machinery manufacturing.

The Hungarian minister also asserted that in the future, the two countries should collaborate more closely in food safety, suggesting that Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development propose some projects for cooperation and introduce several enterprises to partner with Hungarians in the field.

Minister Cuong said that both sides should study each other’s market more carefully to define areas of cooperation.

Vietnam, Hungary step up ICT cooperation

Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan (R) and Hungarian Minister of National Development Miklos Sesztak

Vietnam wants to learn from Hungary’s experience in developing information-technology (IT) policies in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, said Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan.

At a meeting with Hungarian Minister of National Development Miklos Sesztak in Hanoi on September 25, Tuan called on Hungary to share its experience in implementing programmes and projects on information and communication technology (ICT) application in state administrative management like e-Government, e-certification and information safety, among others.

He suggested the two sides to boost cooperation in the research and development of national database system, internet of things (IoT), icloud, artificial intelligence and smart cities.

Tuan said on the basis of cooperation agreements reached by the two ministries, Vietnamese and Hungarian agencies and businesses have exchanged experience in developing information safety laws and policies, and joined hands in projects to build database for health care and social welfare sectors, and e-commerce.

These projects aim to reform and modernise Vietnam’s public administration, he stressed.

The minister briefed his guest on the development of Vietnam’s information and communications sector over the past time.

For his part, Miklos Sesztak said together with the memorandum of understanding signed by the two ministries in 2014 , the cooperation document inked during Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit will serve as foundations for Hungary to cooperate and share its experience in digital applications with Vietnam.

Host and guest held that the consolidation and expansion of cooperation in information and communications demonstrates the two sides’ efforts to promote the bilateral cooperation more practically and effectively.

Vietnam and Hungary have issued a joint statement on the occasion of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s official visit to Vietnam from September 24-26.

The joint statement noted that during the visit, PM Viktor Orbán held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and meetings with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. The PM also attended the Vietnam-Hungary business forum.

In the joint statement, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with countries in East Central Europe, including Hungary which is one of the effective partners of Vietnam in the region.

The two Government leaders stressed that economic-financial cooperation is a priority pillar in bilateral ties between the two countries in the immediate future.

The two sides welcomed the signing of an MoU on financial cooperation between Vietnam’s Finance Ministry and Hungary’s Ministry for National Economy, and the establishment of twinning relations between Vietnam’s Can Tho city and Hungary’s Kaposvar city.

They reiterated their resolve to coordinate closely for the effective implementation of projects funded by Hungary’s 400-million EUR preferential credit package, and applauded the official start of the construction of the Can Tho oncology hospital financed by Hungary’s preferential loans.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the building and signing of an MoU on defence cooperation between their defence ministriers.

They also underlined the importance of cooperation in science-technology, information-communication, and culture-sport-tourism, and welcomed the signing of several MoUs on cooperation in those fields.

The joint statement noted the two sides’ agreement to increase consultation and coordination at international and regional organizations and forums, particularly the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Mekong-Danube cooperation mechanism.

Vietnam asks the European Union and Hungary to pay attention to issues related to the East Sea and raise a strong voice for the respect for international law.

Hungary pledges to continue to support and promote the comprehensive relations between Vietnam and the EU, including the early official signing, ratification and full implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

Vietnam commits to supporting Hungary in expanding ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN member countries.

The joint statement also expressed both sides’ satisfaction with the outcomes of PM Viktor Orbán’s visit, hailing the visit’s significance for the development of Vietnam-Hungary ties.